Actress Fereshta Kazemi heads for a meeting with the Afghan director Mirwais Rakab, who is currently directing a drama series she will star in called "Kocha-e-Ma" (Our Street). Kazemi says she will not cover her hair in the series.

Actress Fereshta Kazemi heads for a meeting with the Afghan director Mirwais Rakab, who is currently directing a drama series she will star in called "Kocha-e-Ma" (Our Street). Kazemi says she will not cover her hair in the series. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Fereshta Kazemi, 33, is an Afghan-American actress now working on movies and television dramas in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sadam Niko, 21, left, who plays Kazemi's love interest in the serial, "Kocha-e-Ma" (Our Street), said of his costar: "I think she's so brave. If the war ever ends," he said,...

Fereshta Kazemi, 33, is an Afghan-American actress now working on movies and television dramas in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sadam Niko, 21, left, who plays Kazemi's love interest in the serial, "Kocha-e-Ma" (Our Street), said of his costar: "I think she's so brave. If the war ever ends," he said,... (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Fereshta Kazemi offers no apology, no explanation. She was born in Kabul 33 years ago and left at age 2. Raised in the U.S., she is back now for the first time, determined to radically alter the way Afghans view women -- particularly women who act.